Establishing a Relationship With A Godparent

A Consulta in Old Havana

Because only a small percentage of those who practice Santería are fully initiated into the religion, some people use the honorific title of Godmother or Godfather to refer to the Oloricha they go to for consultas, or for small ceremonies and rituals intended to solve specific problems. Technically, the godparent-godchild relationship doesn't begin, however, until the individual receives something from the Oloricha, like an Eleke (beaded necklace, called a collar in Spanish). The giving of a religious item in exchange for a derecho (money) marks the beginning of the formal godparent-godchild relationship. This is not a decision that's made by humans, but one that comes from the Orichas during a consulta. For example, the consulta may reveal that an individual needs to receive an Eleke from one of the Orichas for protection or to gain spiritual strength. The priest or priestess who gives the Eleke becomes that individual's Padrino or Madrina. Even if that godchild is never fully initiated in the religion, the godparent still oversees his spiritual evolution to the extent possible.

A godchild and godparent must spend time together and their relationship takes years to develop fully. Although the internet and telephone make it possible for Santeros to communicate with their godchildren across great distances, a legitimate godparent-godchild relationship can't begin without face to face contact. A reputable godparent doesn't go "fishing" for new godchildren, especially among people he scarcely knows, and he never tries to "convert" someone to the religion. The Orichas bring godchildren and godparents together, and the relationship needs to happen in a natural, organic way, with support from others in the community. If godchildren don't live near the godparent, they're expected to pay occasional visits and stay connected to their original ilé (religious house). People who belong to the same ilé are like members of an extended family. For outsiders to the religion, it's hard to know where to look for a Santería community, especially outside Cuba and the Cuban diaspora. There's no organized directory of Santeros in the yellow pages, for example. In Florida, New Jersey and New York, there are thousands of people who practice Santería, but in other regions of the USA, Santería is not as visible. It exists, but it's hard to see. This can be frustrating to people who think of religion as something they can "join." Santería doesn't exclude anyone, but it doesn't advertise itself widely, either.

How Can I Get Initiated into Santería?

Generally, a person can't simply decide to become an Oloricha. The call for full initiation comes from the Orichas themselves, through divination with an established Oloricha. As the elders say, we don't choose the Orichas; they choose us. An outsider to the religion, meaning one who has no formal bonds with a godparent and doesn't belong to any house or lineage, is called an Aleyo. Aleyos who are attracted to the religion usually begin by visiting an Oloricha for an occasional consulta or help with a specific problem. Over time, the person may become more deeply involved by attending ceremonies, receiving elekes or collares (necklaces), or receiving the Warriors (Eleguá, Ogún, Ochosi, Osun). Once an Aleyo receives elekes or the Warriors, he becomes an Aboricha. An Aboricha is not fully initiated and can't act as an Oloricha, but he has an established relationship with an godparent and all the responsibilities that go along with being a godchild. Typically, it takes time for a person to go from Aleyo to Aboricha status, and the step from Aboricha to Oloricha is made only by those who are called into the religion by the Orichas themselves. Aleyos who have no connection to the religion often wonder how they can learn more about it and how they can get involved with it. There's no easy answer, but most experienced Santeros/as will say that if people are meant to become part of the Regla de Ocha, the Orichas will find a way to lead them there. If aleyos keep their ears and eyes open, pay attention to the people they come into contact with, and look for opportunities to mix with people from the Santería community, they may be surprised to find connections where they least expect to find them.